Background
Thumm's research focuses on numerical modeling interactions of intense pulses of laser light and of particle beams with atoms, small molecules, clusters, nanoparticles, surfaces, and thin films. He has written and co-authored more than 120 publications in peer-reviewed journals, three patents, and more than 350 non-refereed publications, abstracts, and press releases. His research has contributed to different areas of physics with noteworthy broader impacts, including:
- Light–matter interactions: work on laser-induced and laser-probed nuclear dynamics in molecules; coherent control; electronic dynamics in atoms, surfaces, and plasmonic nanostructures; high-harmonic generation). Broader impacts: solar energy conversion, photo-catalysis, novel light sources, intense light pulse characterization.
- Highly-charged ion physics. Broader impacts: ion-lithography, controlled thermonuclear fusion, particle detection.
- Particle and light interactions with plasmonic nanostructures (electron transfer and emission). Broader impacts: surface chemistry, catalysis, functional nanostructures, novel electro-optical switches & detectors.
- Electron–atom interactions (electronic excitation, highly correlated systems, negative ions). Broader impacts: thermionic energy conversion, improved light sources, basic atomic data, particle detection.
Outside academia, Thumm worked as a consultant for thermionic energy conversion at Razor Associates in Sunnyvale, CA and Research Director at Advanced Photonics Technologies AG in Bruckmühl, Germany.